J.A. Henckels Reviews

I gotta tell ya...this has been the best "out of the box" knife that I have used in a long time and I have purchased and used every FORGED 8 inch chef's knife from every line of every manufacturer listed here on Amazon. The factory edge was perfectly honed and sharp as a razor right from the get go. Usually I have to use a sharpening steel for a few strokes to reclaim the edge but not this one. Maybe I got lucky but I do love it dearly.
The 4 Star line has been around since 1976 and Henckels knows that we "Pros" love it for it's low maintenance, ease in sharpening, comfortable grip, sanitary design AND price. The blade is classic German in shape, a long, round curve for perfect rockin' and a good weight for heavier work (although in the mid to late '90s they went to a French shape and weight for some reason). This 4 Star can't be beat for dollar value.
This is my 5th one purchased in the last 23 years...the previous ones were all "stolen" by line cooks on the job...'nuf said.

I've been using my Henckel's chef's knife for many years now, and I continue to be impressed with it at every use. The size, weight and balance make it comfortable to use, even for larger "projects" that might cause your hand or arm to get tired with a lesser product. Even after countless uses, the edge remains super sharp, requiring only rare application of the sharpening steel. I found this out the hard way a few days ago with a careless slip of the hand... The heavy duty stainless steel has stood up perfectly to umpteen-bazillion trips through the dishwasher, without the tiniest hint of rust or discoloration.

In short, this is truly a professional quality knife, as is every item in the Four Star, Five Star and Pro-S lines. Yeah, this puppy costs $80 or more, but it's definitely a worthy investment. You really do get what you pay for! Just a word of caution -- stay away from the lower-end Henckel's International line, which is much cheaper but not of comparable quality.

I love to cook, and I've spent a lot of money on cookware. For some reason, however, I continued to buy cheap knives. I guess I always felt that the actualy cookware I was using was so important, that I didn't really understand how having such a good knife would improve things.

Then I got this knife as a gift from a friend who comes over for my cooking a lot. I couldn't believe what I'd been missing! The weight of the knife, combined with such an incredible blade makes 'slicing and dicing' one of the best parts of cooking! This blade has taken everything I've thrown at it effortlessy. I bought a Henkle sharpener to go with it, but it holds its edge so well I don't sharpen it too often.

This kinfe also looks great. Plus, with Henckel quality, you know this will last almost forever.

Pros:
-Holds an edge very, very well
-Solid and heavy - makes chopping so easy
-Well balanced - feels great in your had
-Henkel quality

Cons:
-I only have one! (seriously, I don't have a real con).

I am a beginning cook. I have always marveled at the guys in the local shops whacking at the chicken, etc with a meat cleaver. I think I bought the thing for reasons of machismo alone. But, how easy it makes preparing meat and foul. It feels like an appropriate weight to my male hands. A couple of cuts and my chicken is dispatched. The knife looks well-made but it lacks the bolster of high-end Henckels. Unless you are cleaving whale or walrus, I doubt it matters.

A knife! A knife! A knife! AAAA KNIFE! YAAAAAAAAY! I like knives! Like Knives! LIKE KNIVES! EEEEE! OOOOO! AAAAAA! Is this a KNIFE for me? AAAAAA! Is this KNIFE for ME? Is this KNIFE for ME? For CHRISTMAS? For ME? HUH? Mine? EEEEEE EEEEE EEEEE HAAAA HAAAAAAAAAA! A KNIFE for ME! YAAAAAY!

Most cleavers I've owned tend to be top-heavy and unbalanced, but this one has a wonderful, natural heft to it which allows you to precisely butterfly a whole chicken in less than four strokes (not counting the removal of the chest bone). Fantastic!

If Tim Allen got into cooking and cutlery the way he salivates after handyman tools, he'd be grunting his "can't-wait-to-get-my-hands-on-it" love song. This thing's a monster. Big. Beautiful. Solid. Just like your knives. The only way to go if you can't bring yourself to give up counterspace for a knife block, or prefer the open slide of a knife drawer to getting fallen crumbs, hidden dust, and possibly grime (ugh!) out of those narrow knife block slots.

One of the most practical things you'll ever purchase -- even if it seems like a "luxury" item now or something you'll "eventually" get (uh-huh) -- paying for good knives but failing to pay for proper storage (I discovered the hard way) is like buying a good bicycle then leaving it outside to rust. At this affordable price, consider it a "knife" purchase -- one you don't have but can't do without. Even if you're just discovering the value of high quality cutlery, this knife drawer is not only a good investment for all subsequent purchases, but also it lets you know how many you do and don't have, keeps them all together, and, if need be, you can put everything in one place with a child-proof mechanism. It makes a great gift when you'd like to give something unique but practical and affordably priced.

Another advantage is the opening for the knife hone:It's centered and can act as a dividing mark. If you're a "two knife set" household like we are (knives are like shoes -- they tend to wear and adjust to the user), each person can have one half of the tray (3 short, 3 long slots each). The depth of the slots keep the handles easy to grasp without too much wiggle room, the color of the wood is as pictured, there are no rough edges or splinters, and the double (not single) Henckels logo appears prominently on the base.

Before you buy, however, *measure* the place you intend to put it, including any offset space you have to account for in sliding it into the drawer; if you're going to place it on a shelf, make sure your cupboard door will close. (See measurements in product description).

Keep it well-maintained according to manufacturer's directions and the feeling of sliding open a drawer and seeing this finely crafted object safely cradling your finely crafted full-tang fully-forged bolstered collection, well, .... it's just everything you hoped it "wood" be. With free shipping, you can't go wrong.

I purchased this knife tray for my mother a few years ago, because she used to throw her knives in the drawer. It keeps them protected and neat; and I don't have to worry about her fingers getting sliced. I recently went back to the store I originally bought them at to purchase one for myself, but much to my disappointment they no longer carry it. I was thrilled to find out that Amazon.com has them in stock.

Frees counter space by putting knives into a drawer, while protecting fingers from sharp edges...a great idea in a quality-built product. Knives drop horizontally into the slots, which I find easier than sticking them pin-cushion style into a counter block. Enough room here for all your kitchen and steak knives.

This knife is a superstar! I cannot express how much more enjoyable food preperation has become since I purchased it. After two years of almost daily use, it looks and performs like it just came out of the box. Of course, I only hand wash and dry it, and I never allow food or anything else to dry on this gem! Though seemingly expensive, it is well worth every penny!

About 5 years ago I got into cooking stir fry a little bit and found that cutting carrots, onions and many other vegitables was quite a chore with the cheap selection of knives that my kitchen was stocked with. I had to get sometimes near paper thin slices of various ingredients and there was no way even the best knife sold by Target could stack up to the task. I went to a real cookware store and purchased this knife and the 14" sword like knife for starters.

The first slice through an onion I knew where the extra money goes, some of it is for the name, but the rest is all quality. These knives will amaze you with how well they feel with their perfect balance and with a little work, you can get the blade sharp enough to shave with. When I held the 14" knife balanced on a tomato and just pulled, the weight of the knife sliced through it with a clean stroke. The 10" chefs knife I picked up as my 3rd addition and find it excellent for slicing, for dicing I prefer the heavier knife though.

Cut all the coke cans you want with your Ginsu, but leave the real jobs to a real knife.

This 10" chef's knife would impress Crocodile Dundee. It features fine balance and a comfortable handle (like all 4-Star knives) and an incredibly sharp edge. Just be sure to wash and dry by hand.

After spending 6 years as a sous chef and using a variety of knifes, I can asure you that this knife is top notch! The Santoku is the knife of choice for vegetable prep because it is so well balanced for "rocking" and "chopping." For those that grip with your pointing finger onto the blade, the shape of the handle is far better than the 5 star series. The cryogentically cured steel stays sharp for months. In the four years that I've used this knife I have never used anything but a worn steel to sharpen the blade. A "must have" for the serious home cook.

Now that I have the kids helping me cook dinner/chop vegetables etc. I needed another "chef" knife. Rather than duplicate the chef's knife, I got this one and am very pleased. It's narrower blade makes slicing easier, the curve of the blade has a nice rocker motion to it. I think of the two styles I prefer the French Chef's over this one but as a second knife this one is great.

Purchased this knife to complete my knife collection. I'm not a serious (or even a great) cook but I love Henckels Four Star knives and have used them for over 20 years. This knife (as well as the others in the Four Star Collection) is well balanced and very sharp. It makes me want to take cooking lessons so my meager skills can match the knife's potential. My efforts in the kitchen may not taste gourmet but I feel like a chef with this knife in my hand. Marian

We just received this today and my husband of one month has proceeded to put a very sharp edge back on each knife in our Henckels knife set. The reason for four stars instead of five? When it arrived, the sharpener was not round, as I expected, but a two-sided oval sharpener. Although it is very easy to use and does a great job, it arrived with no directions. For someone who has never used this type of sharpener before they may not find it as easy to use. But for those of you (like my husband) would say "All I care about is that it sharpens the knives and it does a great job." (A direct quote from one who prides himself on putting a good edge on our knives. As a matter of fact he is scouring the neighborhood looking for more knives to sharpen.)

Not Much to say, Are you sick of sharpening your kitchen knives only to realize it doesnt sharpen anything but your frustration.
Well say goodbye, Most sharpeners you get are actually for Honing the blade. This Diamond dusted steel instantly puts a razor sharp edge on any stainless steel non serrated knife.
Dull blades are Dangerous blades, Most accidents in kitchens
are due to dull knives, Your more likly to cut yourself with a Dull knife than a razor sharp knife.

I am very pleased with the results of this diamond steel. It sharpens all our kitchen knives, big and small. I was a bit disappointed with Amazon's package. It is completely shrink-wrapped, bare steel, with no manufacturer's package or warranty paper, nothing! However, this is a fine product. It took me less than 2 minutes to sharpen a knife - no kidding.

I'm sure by now, you're confused by which brand you should choose... is it the Henckels or the Wusthof Santoku? If that isn't your dilemma, skip on down to the next reviewer. I just got the Santoku for a steal of a price... and that is why i went for this over the Wusthof which goes for $5 more (Classic hollow-edge). I was looking at the Wusthof for over a month and was completely impressed w/ the feel and balance. I think the Henckels still comes in just below the Wusthof. There are hundreds of other knife manufacturers in Solingen, Germany... it's only that Henckels spent tons of money on global marketing. Back to the knife... once i got home, I quickly dug for a carrot (tougher to chop) and a cucumber. I tried to chop the carrot like i was banging on a drum... and it chopped fine. As far as the traditional, knuckles out cutting technique, it worked fine. My only advice for you is to definitely try out both knives and look for the most comfortable. You'll notice that one may have a heavy-heel/light-handle feel to it(vice versa)... it is ALL PREFERENCE. I actually got kind of tired chopping the carrots b/c theAlso keep in mind... the hollow edges on the knife really don't make a difference. If anything, it's an aesthetical bonus. So try out the non-hollow edged ones... it may be a few $$$'s cheaper. Also keep in mind, the difference between the Pro 'S', "4-Star" and "5-Star" knives are the handles. I didn't like the "5-Star" knives b/c of the ergonomic handle. Anyone can tell you that you're not supposed to wrap your hands around the whole handle. Instead you should be using your thumb and index to grip the finger guard/bolster. So thus, the Pro 'S' is a good pick, but I'm still going to give the 5-star rating to the Wusthof Classic 7" Santoku.

I bought one of these knives for my wife because she wasn't comfortable with traditional chef's knives, and I didn't like to see her using a pairing knife as a primary kitchen knife. After going to a few different stores and trying out different knives, she decided on the Henckels Pro S 7-inch Santoku. Although I probably would not have picked this knife for myself, I'm now hooked. Here's what I like most: (1) It came with an excellent factory edge. In fact, it was much sharper out of the box than my Global chef's knife. I probably won't use my Global much more until I can get it professionally sharpened. (2) Excellent balance and overall quality. It just feels good in your hand. This is something that everyone needs to try and decide for himself. (3) Versatility. The wide blade is better for scooping up chopped vegetables, herbs, etc than most chef's knives. It is sharp and light enough for relatively delicate work, but long and sturdy enough to handle bigger jobs. (4) Unlike traditional European-style knives, where the blade comes up against the bolster, the entire blade is exposed. This gives you more useful blade space, and is much better for future sharpening (bolsters get in the way of sharpening and stick out once part of the blade has been removed in the sharpening process). The only things I might change are that the 7-inch blade is a bit shorter than I would like, and the handle is relatively small (this is one of the factors that were best for my wife, however). The advice that I would give to anyone purchasing this knife is to please take care of it. Do not run it through the dishwasher, cut on hard glass or marble cutting boards (pure evil), or use any gimmicky home sharpening system. Maintain the edge with a high quality honing steel (a smooth steel is gentlest on the blade), and sharpen only occasionally by someone who knows what they're doing.

If you enjoy cooking Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, or any other Asian foods you will find this knife a joy to use, and a welcome friend in the kitchen.

In the past I've used my Henckel 8" or 6" Chef's knives to prep veggies and meats for stir fry dishes. They did a fine job..but this knife makes the job so much more effortless. Beautiful for thin slivers of meat or all forms of vegetable cutting...slant cut, diced, nituke, jullianne.

One thing I appreciate about this knife is the 7" length and the lighter feel in my hand. It still has the nice balance that you would expect from a Henckel knife, but with a bit less heft. A pleasure to use!

If you love cooking with great kitchen tools...you'll love this one!

L

Just to clarify on those who commented that the "bread knife" in the set is too short. Technically, it's a serrated utility knife, not a bread knife and is fabulous for cutting tomatoes. The bread knife is also serrated, but is much larger...I have one myself and it's great for cutting big loaves of bread.

This is a great knife set. The knives are high quality and well balanced. The utility knife is great. After using this set for almost two years, I only have two complaints. The paring knife is a little small to cover all potential uses. Another 1/2 inch and it would be perfect. Also, the bread knife is almost useless. In addition to the fact it is the least used knife in the set, it is too short to be effective on all types of breads (varying loaf sizes, etc.). Add a longer paring knife and a carving or boning knife instead of the bread knife and this set would get five stars.

The Henckels 4 star knives are wonderful. I am able to get such a good grip on these. Very happy with the set. The only difference between this 4 star set and the 5 star set is the handles. I personally liked how my hand contoured to these handles. Previously owned the famous and expensive cutco knives. These are just as well balanced. Highly recommend.

My 3" paring knife broke. I decided to replace it with the Henckels 4 Star model. What a mistake! It is beautiful, sharp, extremely well balanced and obviously well made. Naturally, the rest of my knives took great offense, and I promptly ordered the whole set of 4 Star knives, block and all. At least I'll get a free set of Henckel's steak knives!

It seems that everyone's kitchen drawer holds more than one paring knife - ours certainly does, and this small knife by Henckels is a favorite.

The three inch blade makes it perfect for paring whether it be a garlic clove or potato.

With a user friendly handle it fits neatly into your hand, and is easy to grip for lengthy chores.

Pop it in the dishwasher, and it's like new.

About 5 years ago I got into cooking stir fry a little bit and found that cutting carrots, onions and many other vegitables was quite a chore with the cheap selection of knives that my kitchen was stocked with. I had to get sometimes near paper thin slices of various ingredients and there was no way even the best knife sold by Target could stack up to the task. I went to a real cookware store and purchased this knife and the 14" chefs knife for starters.

The first slice through an onion I knew where the extra money goes, some of it is for the name, but the rest is all quality. These knives will amaze you with how well they feel with their perfect balance and with a little work, you can get the blade sharp enough to shave with. When I held the chefs knife balanced on a tomato and just pulled, the weight of the knife sliced through it with a clean stroke. The paring knife is handy for so many more things than just paring (which it does quite well), I've used it more than once as a steak knife. For some reason I cant stand serrated edges anymore.

Cut all the coke cans you want with your Ginsu, but leave the real jobs to a real knife.

Henkles is the second best knife out there. Unfortunately, the best one is cheaper. In a straight up comparison with Henkles-five-star to Cutco, Cutco destroyed the henkles knife. I won't mention prices, but Cutco is less expensive. Also the guarentee on Henkles is only "life-time," which by law only means "7 years".
Cutco guarentees forever replacement and forever resharpening for all of it products.
The straight edges on the henkles wore out much quicker than those of cutco. Regardless, the Cutco knives are always guarenteed to always be sharp. So you can always send them back to be resharpened.
Imagine only buying one knife and passing it on for your grandchildren's grandchildren...etc...
You make the choice

Just to let you guys know, Cutco hires what they call "web solicitors" to hype up their products on sites like this. Also, Cutco is sold by Cutco salespeople only and these salespeople have an interest in bashing other knives on the net. Truth is Cutco can't really compare to Henckels in anything but a guarantee, and how often have you known a Henckels knife to fall apart on you (and besides Henckels carrys a lifetime warranty too). A good article on kitchen knives and reviews can be found here[website][website]

My wife did not want new knives. She get attached to things and misses them when they are replaced. She replaced old knives however with this 5 star set, once she had a chance to try them in the kitchen. Great ballance. Very convinient handle. Extrimally well thought through craftsmanship